Small Changes made the 1954 Corvette a True Ambassador of the Muscle Car Legend
Because the 1954 Corvette would actually be the first Vette to get into the hands of the general population there were of course some small changes form the first year model of 1953 so as to appease those who had waited so patiently. However, the changes kept on occurring throughout the model year as the engineers of the Corvette really began to take hold of what they had and continued to refine it as the months of 1954 rolled on.
One of the ever evolving features on the 1954 Corvette was the short stainless steel exhaust outlets that protruded inboard of the rear fenders. What was noticed was that the aerodynamics of the car forced the exhaust back onto the car and thus soiled the paint. After the first 300 units or so, the 1954 Corvette combated the problem by lengthening these and routing them below the body. Even this didn’t totally remedy the problem and it wouldn’t be until 1956 that the design flaw was permanently fixed.
Gas and brake lines were also redone for the 1954 Corvette and the tops and the top irons were changed from black in 1953 to a tan color for 1954. The side curtains that were carried in the trunk by a storage bag were carried in a newly designed storage bag that saw the color be coded to the specific interior of each 1954 Corvette.
Under the hood the 1954 Corvette also lurked some minor changes that made for a quicker ride. The new camshaft in the engine gave it more horsepower increasing the total to 155 bhp which was a makeable 5 horsepower increase from the first year’s run. The engine that boosted the ponies was called the ‘Blue Flame’ six and was a smashing success. Other alterations to the engine included rocker arm covers being finished in chrome, but this alteration was only found on about 20 percent of the total production as the improvement happened as the year pressed on. Wiring was also better insulated using plastic wiring harnesses as opposed to fabric and the three bullet shaped air cleaners were eventually replaced in the middle of the year with a two pot configuration.
Perhaps though the most welcomed change for the 1954 Corvette was the availability of different colors. The 1953 Corvette was only available in Polo White, but the 1954 Corvette was sold in Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, and even a few in black to accompany the original Polo White, which still accounted for about 80 percent of the total Corvettes produced for the year.
Yes the age of the Chevy Corvette was finally here for everyone to enjoy; and enjoy they did. What would follow the 1954 Corvette was nothing short of the building of a legend that is still telling its story today. Though it took an extra year to be able to enjoy the Corvette (unless you were a higher up at GM and privy to one of the first 500 made in 1953), the public’s patience was truly rewarded and would only be more rewarded as the years clicked by.
Small Changes made the 1954 Corvette a True Ambassador of the Muscle Car Legend
Because the 1954 Corvette would actually be the first Vette to get into the hands of the general population there were of course some small changes form the first year model of 1953 so as to appease those who had waited so patiently. However, the changes kept on occurring throughout the model year as the engineers of the Corvette really began to take hold of what they had and continued to refine it as the months of 1954 rolled on.
One of the ever evolving features on the 1954 Corvette was the short stainless steel exhaust outlets that protruded inboard of the rear fenders. What was noticed was that the aerodynamics of the car forced the exhaust back onto the car and thus soiled the paint. After the first 300 units or so, the 1954 Corvette combated the problem by lengthening these and routing them below the body. Even this didn’t totally remedy the problem and it wouldn’t be until 1956 that the design flaw was permanently fixed.
Gas and brake lines were also redone for the 1954 Corvette and the tops and the top irons were changed from black in 1953 to a tan color for 1954. The side curtains that were carried in the trunk by a storage bag were carried in a newly designed storage bag that saw the color be coded to the specific interior of each 1954 Corvette.
Under the hood the 1954 Corvette also lurked some minor changes that made for a quicker ride. The new camshaft in the engine gave it more horsepower increasing the total to 155 bhp which was a makeable 5 horsepower increase from the first year’s run. The engine that boosted the ponies was called the ‘Blue Flame’ six and was a smashing success. Other alterations to the engine included rocker arm covers being finished in chrome, but this alteration was only found on about 20 percent of the total production as the improvement happened as the year pressed on. Wiring was also better insulated using plastic wiring harnesses as opposed to fabric and the three bullet shaped air cleaners were eventually replaced in the middle of the year with a two pot configuration.
Perhaps though the most welcomed change for the 1954 Corvette was the availability of different colors. The 1953 Corvette was only available in Polo White, but the 1954 Corvette was sold in Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, and even a few in black to accompany the original Polo White, which still accounted for about 80 percent of the total Corvettes produced for the year.
Yes the age of the Chevy Corvette was finally here for everyone to enjoy; and enjoy they did. What would follow the 1954 Corvette was nothing short of the building of a legend that is still telling its story today. Though it took an extra year to be able to enjoy the Corvette (unless you were a higher up at GM and privy to one of the first 500 made in 1953), the public’s patience was truly rewarded and would only be more rewarded as the years clicked by.
Tags: 1954 Corvette, Corvette, Polo White
